Controller gave out.... AGAIN...

[Bebo77]

Well this is the 4th controller i have gone through since i bough the unit brand new from AO and this one too has given out in less then 18 months

I have unplugged the unit and let the battery drain, plugged it back in.
nothing

i have 4 power bars the system was reading 5 but deleted one per Will at AO

The Ph sensors, condutivity, salinity, water level sensors, everything is reading a "?"

I have no control over the power bars at all, computer can not connect to the system.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

this is getting old.

[saurus]

Gab, I step lightly and breath quietly when I am near the controller. This controller is more sensitive than half of my ex's. I have been there and the problems usually happens on a weekend. Will is very helpful and I am sure you will get this resolved but if you want long term confidence then lets research a new controller. Good luck bro.

[NeveSSL]

FWIW, this sounds like the same thing that happened to me recently. The powerbar and controller won't communicate.

AQ told me it was a problem with my powerbar.

This was the second time I have had mine die... I'm giving the system one more chance with an upgrade to the new controllers... if it dies again, I'll have it fixed and sell it and move on the an ACIII.

I really think they've shot themselves in the foot with this issue... I now feel like I can't defend them when the issue is brought it... its quite simply a problem. HOPEFULLY the new controller fixes it... but only time will tell.

Brandon

[RobbyG]

Get the newer version controller, from what I here it has a newer circuit design.

[ik2vov]

Hi Bebo77,
the problem you see I think is due to a Power Unit that have been disconnected for some reason from the system, when reconnected it have been found as a new Power Unit and have been recognized as fifth Power Unit.

I think the problem is not on the Controller or on the firmware, but on the Power Unit or Power Units.

I think it's better if you write to service@aquatronica.com explaning the problem you had.

Bye

[Bebo77]

email sent....

[saurus]

Update?

[Bebo77]

looks like they want me to buy another controller/ powerbar?

i swear, if i could afford it i would dump this system and get something else....

[Bebo77]

still waiting on news....

[nemo's janitor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13994144#post13994144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
Well this is the 4th controller i have gone through since i bough the unit brand new from AO and this one too has given out in less then 18 months

I have unplugged the unit and let the battery drain, plugged it back in.
nothing

i have 4 power bars the system was reading 5 but deleted one per Will at AO

The Ph sensors, condutivity, salinity, water level sensors, everything is reading a "?"

I have no control over the power bars at all, computer can not connect to the system.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

this is getting old.

Hi Bebo77, Sorry to hear you want to chuck the Aquatronica in. I also feel like doing so sometimes but then think back to the good service provided by AT. They have never rejected a legitimate claim. Always come up with a solution and continually upgrade the system. They are closed till 6 Jan 2009 I am sure if what i suggest does not help they will on return.

If your controller shows signs of life the following might help.

First of all make sure that you have a backup of your system because all programming will be lost and the configuration will change.

Go to the settings menu, then reset Settings. NOTE this will cancel all your programs then find each PU and device connected to the system. You will have to reprogram or restore your last configuration. If you have problems pm me and i will skype you through the process.

[RobbyG]

Did you try just wiping the memory and starting from fresh?
IMO it sounds like the 5th Powerbar might have been seen as the first by the controller (Meaning that the connector between the controller and the first powerbar are where all commands travel through). If you removed the 5th powerbar you might have severed the command flow and now the controller does not see anything.

The only hardware problem the Aquatronica controller has ever had was the batch that kept freezing up. I have not seen or heard of any of those units still being on the market since mid last year and since your problem is not freezing related I suspect nothing is wrong with the controller or powerbar but that your program is simply corrupted and needs to be redone.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14029912#post14029912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
looks like they want me to buy another controller/ powerbar?

i swear, if i could afford it i would dump this system and get something else....

[Aquarium Obsessed]

Working on this with you.

[nemo's janitor]

Hi Bebo77, silence makes me a little nervous. It's 2 weeks since you posted your problem.
Did you get it sorted out? If so how did you fix?

[Bebo77]

NOPE... still waiting on AO to do something about this... i have since given away/ lost almost all my SPS... i am soo upset i can not even begin to tell you!

[nemo's janitor]

Stay with, and trust us a little on this one. We (RC reefers) will get your problem resolved. But you have to communicate with us.

I sent you a PM. Please respond.

[ik2vov]

Hi Bebo77,

I know Aquatronica answered your e-mail ad they came back to work, the 7 of gennuary.
Aquatronica in it's e-mail was asking for your controller configuration and the list of the modules connected.

Aquatronica never received an answer, did you receive the Aquatronica e-mail?

Bye

[Aquarium Obsessed]

Bebo I sent you another PM last week and heard nothing. Sending another right now.

AO

[nemo's janitor]

Hi Bebo77,
I think i know what the problem is. I was testing the Dosing pump problem for hyacinth and had just a controller connected to one PU. When i connected the dosing pump the PU disconnected. I also could not connect the PC. What i found was i had taken an old USB cable to connect the dosing pump. This cable had salt corrosion. Changed the cable and all worked again. The cable/ corrosion was causing a short and disconnecting the USB BUSS. You might want to try disconnecting one device at a time.
It is my guess i am spot on.

[NeveSSL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14200862#post14200862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
NOPE... still waiting on AO to do something about this... i have since given away/ lost almost all my SPS... i am soo upset i can not even begin to tell you!

I do not mean to be rude by any means, but you could not sustain your tank at all without a controller?

Brandon

[nemo's janitor]

Hi Bebo77,

Did you get a chance to try out suggestions in my previous post and those that i PMed you?

[nemo's janitor]

Bebo77, is your aquatronica fixed?